Ryan Dickson on target for Bradford City’s big day out

Ryan Dickson has confessed to feeling like a bandwagon-hopper as he closes in on a Wembley role with City.

The on-loan Southampton defender is expected to make his fourth appearance tomorrow against second-placed Gillingham at Valley Parade.

With James Meredith out following his bout of glandular fever, the left-back slot is up for grabs for the Capital One Cup final in just over a fortnight.

Curtis Good played there in both games against Aston Villa but Dickson, who scored at Fleetwood last week, has come firmly into the reckoning.

Dickson, who is not cup-tied, joined the club before the semi-final second leg but missed out with a tight thigh.

He admits it would be strange to be involved in the final, having not featured once in City’s history-making run that is all down to his new team-mates.

He said: “Reaching the cup final is down to their hard work; it’s their baby. I can’t take any sort of credit for that.

“Those boys have given everything to get this far and you can’t give them too much respect for what they have achieved.

“It’s absolutely incredible – the chance of it happening again is one in a million.

“You’re lucky to play once at Wembley in your career. For a League Two team to get to the Capital One Cup final is outstanding.

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“It is there but for myself, it’s in the back of my mind. Of course I’d play if I do get picked but it’s out of my hands.

“I want us to push on in the league and obviously get as many games as I can and perform like I know I can. We need to push on in the league and that’s got to be our focus.”

Phil Parkinson believes Dickson will start to show the quality that saw him win promotion from League One two seasons ago as he plays more games.

After coming on for the injured Rory McArdle at Highbury, there were glimpses of that talent – capped off with a confident finish for the seventh goal of his career. It was almost a year to the day of the last one on loan for Yeovil.

Dickson said: “The first two games came very quickly for me and I wasn’t up to scratch. That’s to be expected.

“We had a hard week away in Tenerife training and that was much needed. My fitness will come and performances will improve from that.

“Going away was a chance to get to know the boys and they are a very good bunch. I’ve fitted in really well – it feels like I’ve been here for months already.

“That’s something the gaffer has looked for when he’s put this team together. You want good characters and he’s definitely got that in the dressing room.”

Although this is the fifth time that Dickson has played on loan, he is not a fan of the system. But Parkinson made it clear from the outset that he would treat him as a permanent signing.

Dickson said: “I’m here to the end of the season and the first thing the gaffer said was that he sees me as one of his players. That helps a lot.

“Personally I don’t like going on loan. It’s obviously not the same as signing for a football club.

“Sometimes when you get brought in like that, you’re not too sure what people think of you. It can be hard to settle but I feel part of it here.

“Bradford are a big club and once they get out of this league, they can push on to the Championship. They are big enough.

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“This is a hard league to get out of but with the way the boys are – and the positive attitude around the dressing room – we need to push on now and fight for promotion.

“Last week was a good point and it will be even better if we can beat Gillingham.”

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Comments (9)

Hopefully there is more to come. He looked absolutely whacked at Crewe. In fact, he was totally knackered.

Hopefully there is more to come. He looked absolutely whacked at Crewe. In fact, he was totally knackered.Michael Clayton

Hopefully there is more to come. He looked absolutely whacked at Crewe. In fact, he was totally knackered.

Score: 0

tyker2 says...9:25am Fri 8 Feb 13

Curtis god should play in the final BUT if he is not getting games that seems an unlikely scenario

Curtis god should play in the final BUT if he is not getting games that seems an unlikely scenariotyker2

Curtis god should play in the final BUT if he is not getting games that seems an unlikely scenario

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Thimblerigger says...9:46am Fri 8 Feb 13

Bit early to be referring to him as "god" don't you think Tyker?

Bit early to be referring to him as "god" don't you think Tyker?Thimblerigger

Bit early to be referring to him as "god" don't you think Tyker?

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since1958 says...10:15am Fri 8 Feb 13

Would like to see Meredith make it back in time for Wembley, because of the season that he has had up until his illness. l think he has been one of our best signings in many years

Would like to see Meredith make it back in time for Wembley, because of the season that he has had up until his illness. l think he has been one of our best signings in many yearssince1958

Would like to see Meredith make it back in time for Wembley, because of the season that he has had up until his illness. l think he has been one of our best signings in many years

Score: 0

theoutsider says...12:36pm Fri 8 Feb 13

no chance Curtis GOOD has to play he has been superb since he arrived at VP.

no chance Curtis GOOD has to play he has been superb since he arrived at VP.theoutsider

no chance Curtis GOOD has to play he has been superb since he arrived at VP.

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MrsAngryofRidd says...12:41pm Fri 8 Feb 13

I agree with since1958, certainly in contention for my man of the season but I don't want him to push himself too much just to get to Wembley and risk the rest of the season, when we will need him. Wembley is a dream but promotion is the main target. Just got my Wembley tickets this morning only 16 sleeps before the big day.

I agree with since1958, certainly in contention for my man of the season but I don't want him to push himself too much just to get to Wembley and risk the rest of the season, when we will need him. Wembley is a dream but promotion is the main target.
Just got my Wembley tickets this morning only 16 sleeps before the big day.MrsAngryofRidd

I agree with since1958, certainly in contention for my man of the season but I don't want him to push himself too much just to get to Wembley and risk the rest of the season, when we will need him. Wembley is a dream but promotion is the main target. Just got my Wembley tickets this morning only 16 sleeps before the big day.

Score: 0

BD16 says...12:58pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Ryan Dickson must love Bradford. A weeks "training" in Tenerife and then a date at Wembley in two weeks time. Not your average league two season, is it?

Ryan Dickson must love Bradford. A weeks "training" in Tenerife and then a date at Wembley in two weeks time.
Not your average league two season, is it?BD16

Ryan Dickson must love Bradford. A weeks "training" in Tenerife and then a date at Wembley in two weeks time. Not your average league two season, is it?

Score: 0

RuggerTyke says...2:43pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Gotta feel for Richie, though

Gotta feel for Richie, thoughRuggerTyke

Gotta feel for Richie, though

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lawsonio123 says...8:55pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Meredith is back in training and no one could complain should he play at Wembley he is not a loan player and all being equal should play before our loan players. Unless City intend to sign that player at the end of his loan. Enough of what i think Mr Parkinson is the Manager and he will of course make the choice. A after thought Blackpool still have no Manager and Parky as not signed up yet Oyston at Blqckpool is a Tricky Customer

Meredith is back in training and no one could complain should he play at Wembley he is not a loan player and all being equal should play before our loan players. Unless City intend to sign that player at the end of his loan. Enough of what i think Mr Parkinson is the Manager and he will of course make the choice. A after thought Blackpool still have no Manager and Parky as not signed up yet Oyston at Blqckpool is a Tricky Customerlawsonio123

Meredith is back in training and no one could complain should he play at Wembley he is not a loan player and all being equal should play before our loan players. Unless City intend to sign that player at the end of his loan. Enough of what i think Mr Parkinson is the Manager and he will of course make the choice. A after thought Blackpool still have no Manager and Parky as not signed up yet Oyston at Blqckpool is a Tricky Customer

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